We barely had time to recover from Bernie Mac’s loss before the ghost of bad news struck again with Isaac Hayes now joining a growing list of 2008’s shocking deaths. The 65-year old soul legend was found unconscious next a still-running treadmill in his home. Paramedics then rushed him to the hospital and attempted to revive him. He died shortly after.

Hayes gave us so many soul-tugging gems, many of which have been sampled prominently by hip-hoppers like 2Pac (”Me Against the World”) and Jay-Z (”Can I Live”). Needless to say, the world just got a little less soulful. Sir Hayes will be sorely missed.